Specifications Manual for Joint Commission National Quality Measures (v2021B2)
Posted: 9/29/2021
Home » Initial NIHSS Less Than 6

Release Notes:
Data Element
Version 2021B2

Name:Initial NIHSS Less Than 6
Collected For: CSTK-09, CSTK-11
Definition:Documentation that the initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score after hospital arrival was less than 6.
Question:Was the initial NIHSS score after hospital arrival less than 6?
Format:
Length:1
Type:Alphanumeric
Occurs:1
Allowable Values:

Y (Yes) The initial NIHSS score after hospital arrival was less than 6.

N (No) The initial NIHSS score after hospital arrival was 6 or greater, OR unable to determine from the medical record documentation.
Notes for Abstraction:
  • Select the first total NIHSS score (i.e., sum of the category scores) documented after hospital arrival.
  • The NIHSS score may be documented by the physician/APN/PA or nurse (RN).
  • Disregard components scored when the total NIHSS score is not documented or left blank. Do not infer a total NIHSS score from documented category scores.
Suggested Data Sources:
  • Consultation notes
  • Emergency department record
  • History and physical
  • Nursing flow sheet
  • Nursing admission assessment
  • Progress notes
  • Admitting note
Additional Notes:
Guidelines for Abstraction:
Inclusion Exclusion
None
  • Modified NIHSS scores
  • Estimated NIHSS scores
  • Scoring methodologies other than NIHSS

Initial NIHSS Less Than 6
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Specifications Manual for Joint Commission National Quality Measures (v2021B2)
Discharges 10-1-21 through 12-31-21 (4Q21)

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